Pneumatic valve control device

ABSTRACT

A pneumatic valve control device includes an air cylinder. The air cylinder includes a first piston; an air outlet; and a locking and releasing mechanism configured to lock and release the first piston when the first piston is pushed up. The device also includes a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder includes a second piston; an air vent disposed on a first side of the second piston; and a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet disposed on a second side of the second piston. The device also includes a partition disposed between the hydraulic cylinder and the air cylinder; a partition channel disposed on the partition; a piston rod connected to the second piston and configured to pass through the partition channel; and a tappet valve connected to the piston rod and configured to leave the partition channel in response to an upward movement of the piston rod.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to: Chinese PatentApplication No. 202123254981.7 filed in the Chinese IntellectualProperty Office on Dec. 22, 2021, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of pneumatic drainvalve control, and particularly to a pneumatic valve control device.

BACKGROUND

A drain valve of a water tank of a toilet may be a mechanical drainvalve or a pneumatic drain valve. In the pneumatic drain valve, apneumatic force transmission mode is used with a pneumatic button torealize opening and closing actions of the drain valve. A pneumaticcontrol mechanism is used to supply air to the pneumatic drain valve. Anair inlet of the pneumatic drain valve is communicated with an air bag.After an action of the pneumatic control mechanism, the air istransmitted to the air bag through a hose, and a volume of the air bagis increased to drive an overflow pipe to rise. Thus, the pneumaticdrain valve is opened to discharge water.

As to a structure and a working principle of the pneumatic drain valve,reference may be made to the Chinese application patent document withthe publication number CN212248552U. As to a structure and a workingprinciple of an air pressure driving device, reference may be made tothe Chinese application patent document with the publication numberCN206916866U.

A pneumatic valve control device needs to be pushed to move a largerstroke by an operator with a larger force to drive the pneumatic drainvalve to open. Thus, it is inconvenient to operate to operate thepneumatic valve control device.

In view of the above technical problems, it is necessary to provide apneumatic valve control device that is convenient to operate.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure aims to overcome the defects in the art andprovide a pneumatic valve control device, which is convenient tooperate.

The present disclosure provides a pneumatic valve control device, whichcomprises an air cylinder provided with a first piston and an air outletand comprises a hydraulic cylinder provided with a second piston and anair vent.

A partition is arranged between the hydraulic cylinder and the aircylinder, and a partition channel is arranged on the partition.

A liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and the air vent of the hydrauliccylinder are located on two opposite sides of the second piston, and thesecond piston is connected to a piston rod capable of passing throughthe partition channel.

The piston rod is connected to a tappet valve for opening and closingthe partition channel, and the tappet valve is capable of withdrawingfrom the partition channel with an upward movement of the piston rod andjacking up (e.g., lifting up) the first piston.

The air cylinder further comprises a locking and releasing mechanismcapable of locking and releasing the first piston that is jacked up orpushed up.

When the locking and releasing mechanism is unlocked and the firstpiston is in a descending state, the partition channel is in a closedstate, and the air outlet is in an outward exhaust state.

In an embodiment, a sealing gasket is arranged in the partition channel.

When the tappet valve closes the partition channel, the tappet valve iscontacted with the sealing gasket.

In an embodiment, a channel step surface is arranged in the partitionchannel, and the tappet valve is provided with a tappet valve stepsurface.

The sealing gasket is located on the channel step surface.

When the tappet valve closes the partition channel, the tappet valvestep surface is pressed on the sealing gasket.

In an embodiment, a first elastic driving member for driving the firstpiston to reset is arranged in an air cylinder barrel of the aircylinder.

In an embodiment, a first sealing ring for sealing the air cylinderbarrel is mounted on the first piston.

In an embodiment, a second elastic driving member for driving the secondpiston to reset is arranged in a hydraulic cylinder barrel of thehydraulic cylinder.

In an embodiment, a second sealing ring for sealing the hydrauliccylinder barrel is mounted on the second piston.

In an embodiment, the locking and releasing mechanism comprises atelescopic pin mounted on the air cylinder barrel of the air cylinderand comprises a driving portion for driving the telescopic pin to extendand retract, and the driving portion is connected to the telescopic pin.

In an embodiment, when the locking and releasing mechanism is in aninitial state, the telescopic pin is in an extended state.

In an embodiment, the driving portion comprises a trigger pivotallymounted on the air cylinder barrel, one end of the trigger is connectedto the telescopic pin, and a third elastic driving member is connectedbetween the other end of the trigger and the air cylinder barrel.

In an embodiment, a limiting convex portion is arranged on one side ofthe first piston oriented to the telescopic pin.

A convex portion inclined plane for guiding the telescopic pin toretract is arranged on the limiting convex portion, and the convexportion inclined plane gradually and obliquely extends upwardly andinwardly in a direction from the telescopic pin to the limiting convexportion.

In an embodiment, a bottom surface of the limiting convex portion is aplane.

In an embodiment, the limiting convex portion is a limiting ringarranged on the first piston.

In an embodiment, an area of the liquid inlet is larger than that of theliquid outlet.

The present disclosure may have the following beneficial effects.

According to the pneumatic valve control device according to the presentdisclosure, when the hydraulic cylinder is filled with a liquid, thetappet valve withdraws from a top of the partition channel to jack upthe first piston, and air enters the cavity of the air cylinder throughthe air vent and the partition channel. When the first piston rises to apreset position, the locking and releasing mechanism locks the firstpiston, the hydraulic cylinder discharges the liquid, the tappet valveresets to close the partition channel, and at the moment, the cavity ofthe air cylinder is in a sealed state. When the locking and releasingmechanism releases the first piston, the first piston descends, and airis discharged through the air outlet, which may be discharged into thepneumatic drain valve connected to the air outlet to make the pneumaticdrain valve open and discharge water.

By using the pneumatic valve control device according to the presentdisclosure, when water enters the water tank, the hydraulic cylinder isautomatically filled with the liquid and jacks up or pushes up the firstpiston to the preset position, and the first piston is locked by thelocking and releasing mechanism. When the water stops entering the watertank, the hydraulic cylinder discharges the liquid, and the tappet valveautomatically resets to close the partition channel, so that the cavityof the air cylinder can be in the sealed state. When a user needs todischarge the water, the user only needs to simply operate the lockingand releasing mechanism, which automatically releases the first piston,and the air is pressed into the pneumatic drain valve to allow thepneumatic drain valve to open and discharge the water.

Therefore, the pneumatic valve control device according to the presentdisclosure is more labor-saving and convenient to operate and mayimprove a performance of products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

With reference to the drawings, the contents disclosed by the presentdisclosure should be more easily understood. It should be understoodthat these drawings are merely used for illustration and are notintended to limit the protection scope of the present disclosure. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pneumatic valve control device according toan example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the pneumatic valve control device according tothe example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the pneumatic valve control deviceaccording to an example of the present disclosure along a telescopicpin;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the pneumatic valve control deviceaccording to an example of the present disclosure, wherein a secondpiston is in an initial state, a tappet valve seals a partition channel,and a first piston is located at a lowest position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the pneumatic valve control deviceaccording to an example of the present disclosure, wherein the secondpiston is in a rising state, the tappet valve jacks up or pushes up thefirst piston, and the first piston is locked by a locking and releasingmechanism;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the pneumatic valve control deviceaccording to an example of the present disclosure, wherein the secondpiston resets to the initial state, the tappet valve seals the partitionchannel, and the first piston is locked by the locking and releasingmechanism;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an air cylinder barrel, a partition, and ahydraulic cylinder barrel;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the first piston; and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method for controlling a pneumatic valve torelease water in a water tank of a toilet by using a pneumatic valvecontrol device according to an example of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The specific embodiments of the present disclosure are further describedwith reference to the drawings hereinafter. Same or equivalent parts aredenoted by same reference numerals. It should be noted that the terms“front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down” used in the followingdescription refer to the directions in the drawings, and the terms“inner” and “outer” refer to the directions towards or far away fromgeometric centers of specific parts respectively.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pneumatic valve control device according toan example of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a top view of thepneumatic valve control device according to the example of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the pneumatic valve controldevice according to an example of the present disclosure along atelescopic pin. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the pneumatic valvecontrol device according to an example of the present disclosure,wherein a second piston is in an initial state, a tappet valve seals apartition channel, and a first piston is located at a lowest position.FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the pneumatic valve control deviceaccording to an example of the present disclosure, wherein the secondpiston is in a rising state, the tappet valve jacks up or pushes up thefirst piston, and the first piston is locked by a locking and releasingmechanism. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the pneumatic valve controldevice according to an example of the present disclosure, wherein thesecond piston resets to the initial state, the tappet valve seals thepartition channel, and the first piston is locked by the locking andreleasing mechanism. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an air cylinderbarrel, a partition, and a hydraulic cylinder barrel.

As shown in FIG. 1 -FIG. 7 , a pneumatic valve control device accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises an air cylinder 1with a first piston 12 and an air outlet 13 and a hydraulic cylinder 2with a second piston 22 and an air vent 27.

A partition 3 is arranged between the hydraulic cylinder 2 and the aircylinder 1, and a partition channel 31 is arranged on the partition 3.

A liquid inlet 25 and a liquid outlet 26 of the hydraulic cylinder 2 arelocated on a first side of the second piston 22 and the air vent 27 ofthe hydraulic cylinder 2 is located on a second side (e.g., opposite tothe first side) of the second piston 22, and the second piston 22 isconnected to a piston rod 23 configured to pass through the partitionchannel 31.

The piston rod 23 is connected to a tappet valve 24 for opening andclosing the partition channel 31, and the tappet valve 24 is configuredto withdraw from the partition channel 31 with an upward movement of thepiston rod 23 and jack (e.g., push) up the first piston 12.

The air cylinder 1 further comprises a locking and releasing mechanism 4configured to lock and release the first piston 12, which has beenjacked up or pushed up.

When the locking and releasing mechanism 4 is unlocked and the firstpiston 12 is in a descending, falling back state, the partition channel31 is in a closed state, and the air outlet 13 is in an outward exhauststate.

The pneumatic valve control device according to the embodiment may beused for controlling a pneumatic drain valve in a toilet.

The pneumatic valve control device comprises the air cylinder 1, thehydraulic cylinder 2, the partition 3, and the locking and releasingmechanism 4.

The partition 3 is sealed between an air cylinder barrel 11 and ahydraulic cylinder barrel 21, and a partition channel 31 is arranged onthe partition 3 and configured to connect an air cavity of the aircylinder 1 to an air cavity of the hydraulic cylinder 2. According toneeds, the air cylinder barrel 11 and the hydraulic cylinder barrel 21may have an integrated structure, and the partition 3 is sealed in thecavities of the air cylinder barrel 11 and the hydraulic cylinder barrel21.

The first piston 12 is arranged in the air cylinder 11, the air outlet13 is arranged in a barrel wall of the air cylinder barrel 11, and theair outlet 13 may be connected to an air inlet of the pneumatic drainvalve through a pipeline 6.

The second piston 22 is arranged in the hydraulic cylinder barrel 21,the second piston 22 is connected to the piston rod 23, the piston rod23 may pass through the partition channel 31, and the piston rod 23 isin clearance fit with the partition channel 31. The piston rod 23 isconnected to the tappet valve 24. A bottom portion of the hydrauliccylinder 21 is provided with the liquid inlet 25 and the liquid outlet26, and a middle and upper portion of the hydraulic cylinder 21 isprovided with the air vent 27. The liquid inlet 25 may be connected to awater inlet pipe of a water tank of the toilet through a pipeline 5. Theliquid outlet 26 is configured to discharge water and may optionallydischarge the water into the water tank of the toilet.

Because the tappet valve 24 has a valve function and a tappet function(e.g., as noted above, the tappet valve 24 is configured to withdrawfrom the partition channel 31 with an upward movement of the piston rod23 and jack or push up the first piston 12) at the same time, the tappetvalve 24 is called a tappet valve. The functions are specificallydescribed as follows.

Firstly, when the second piston 22 is in an initial state, the tappetvalve 24 is at least partially located in the partition channel 31 toclose the partition channel 31. At the moment, the air vent 27 isdisconnected from the air cavity 10 of the air cylinder 1, and noventilation is allowed.

Secondly, when water enters the liquid inlet 25 to achieve liquidfilling, the hydraulic cylinder 2 acts in response to the liquidfilling, the second piston 22 is jacked up or pushed up by the waterbelow the second piston 22, the tappet valve 24 rises with the pistonrod 23 and leaves from the partition channel 31, and the first piston 12is jacked up or pushed up. At the moment, the air vent 27 is in aircommunication with the air cavity 10 of the air cylinder 1 through thepartition channel 31 to supplement air to the air cavity 10.

The locking and releasing mechanism 4 is located at a middle and upperportion of a first cylinder barrel 11 and configured to lock the firstpiston 12 in a rising state. A lock pin, a lock claw, a lock catch, orthe like may be selected as the locking and releasing mechanism 4. Thelocking and releasing mechanism 4 may be controlled electrically ormanually.

When the first piston 12 is jacked up or pushed up to a preset positionby the tappet valve 24, the locking and releasing mechanism 4 acts tolock the first piston 12, so that the first piston cannot descend.

When the water stops entering the liquid inlet 25, and the water isdischarged through the liquid outlet 26, the second piston 22 graduallydescends back to an initial position. Accordingly, the tappet valve 24resets to close the partition channel 31. At the moment, the firstpiston 12 is kept at a higher position, and the air cavity 10 has alargest volume and is in a closed state.

When a user needs to open the pneumatic drain valve, the user operatesthe locking and releasing mechanism 4, so that the locking and releasingmechanism 4 releases the first piston 12, and the first piston 12descends and compresses the air in the air cavity 10 out through the airoutlet 13. The compressed air enters the pneumatic drain valve throughthe pipeline 6, the pneumatic drain valve is opened, and the water tankdischarges water.

Therefore, the pneumatic valve control device according to the presentdisclosure is more labor-saving and convenient to operate and improves aperformance of products.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 -FIG. 7 , a sealing gasket 32 isarranged in the partition channel 31. When the tappet valve 24 closesthe partition channel 31, the tappet valve 24 is contacted with thesealing gasket 32.

The sealing gasket 32 is a rubber gasket. When the tappet valve 24 is inan initial state, the tappet valve is contacted and sealed with thesealing gasket 32. Thus, a sealing effect may be improved and the air inthe air cavity 10 may be prevented from leaking.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 -FIG. 7 , a channel step surface isarranged in the partition channel 31, and the tappet valve 24 isprovided with a tappet valve step surface 241. The sealing gasket 32 islocated on the channel step surface.

When the tappet valve 24 closes the partition channel 31, the tappetvalve step surface 241 presses the sealing gasket 32.

This arrangement not only is convenient for mounting the sealing gasket32, but also is convenient for matching the tappet valve 24 with thesealing gasket 32 to achieve sealing.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 , FIG. 5 , and FIG. 6 , a firstelastic driving member 14 configured to drive the first piston 12 toreset is arranged in the air cylinder barrel 11 of the air cylinder 1. Aspring, an elastic sheet, or the like may be selected as the firstelastic driving member 14. After the locking and releasing mechanism 4releases the first piston 12, the first elastic driving member 14facilitates or accelerate a quick descent or a downward movement of thefirst piston 12, so as to increase a pressure of the air in the aircavity 10 and allow the air to quickly flow into the pneumatic drainvalve. Thus, the pneumatic drain valve may be quickly opened.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 , FIG. 5 , and FIG. 6 , a firstsealing ring 15 configured to seal the air cylinder barrel 11 of the aircylinder 1 is mounted on the first piston 12. The first sealing ring 15is a rubber sealing ring and plays a role in sealing the first piston 12with the air cylinder barrel 11. Thus, the air in the air cavity 10 maybe prevented from leaking.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 , FIG. 5 , and FIG. 6 , a secondelastic driving member 28 configured to drive the second piston 22 toreset (e.g., a downward movement) is arranged in the hydraulic cylinderbarrel 21 of the hydraulic cylinder 2. A spring, an elastic sheet, orthe like may be selected as the second elastic driving member 28. Afterthe water stops entering the liquid inlet 25, the second elastic drivingmember 28 facilitates or accelerates the downward reset of the secondpiston 22, so that the tappet valve 24 can quickly return to seal orclose the partition channel 31. Thus, the air in the air cavity 10discharged through the partition channel 31 may be reduced.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 , FIG. 5 , and FIG. 6 , a secondsealing ring 29 configured to seal the hydraulic cylinder barrel 21 ismounted on the second piston 22. The second sealing ring 29 is a rubbersealing ring and plays a role in sealing the second piston 22 with thehydraulic cylinder barrel 21. Thus, the water may be prevented fromentering the air cavity above the second piston 22.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 -FIG. 7 , the locking and releasingmechanism 4 comprises a telescopic pin 41 mounted on the air cylinderbarrel 11 of the air cylinder 1. The locking and releasing mechanism 4also comprises a driving portion 42 configured to drive the telescopicpin 41 to extend and retract, and the driving portion 42 is connected tothe telescopic pin 41.

In the embodiment, the locking and releasing mechanism 4 includes thetelescopic pin 41 and the driving portion 42. The telescopic pin 41extends along a radial direction of the air cylinder barrel 11 and maypass through the air cylinder barrel 11 to extend into an inner side ofthe air cylinder barrel 11, so as to lock the first piston 12. Thedriving portion 42 may be an electrically controlled driving portion ora mechanical driving portion. The driving portion 42 is configured todrive the telescopic pin 41 to extend and retract in the air cylinderbarrel 11. When the first piston 12 needs to be released, the telescopicpin 41 may be driven to retract away from the first piston 12 byoperating the driving portion 42, and then the first piston 12 maydescend.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 -FIG. 7 , when the locking andreleasing mechanism 4 is in an initial state, the telescopic pin 41 isin an extended state.

In the embodiment, in a usual state, the telescopic pin 41 is in theextended state. When the first piston 12 is jacked up or pushed up, thetelescopic pin 41 may retract automatically. After the first pistonpasses over the telescopic pin 41, the telescopic pin 41 extends again,and the descended first piston 12 may be locked by the extendedtelescopic pin 41. This is a convenient operation.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the driving portion 42comprises a trigger 421 pivotally mounted on the air cylinder barrel 11,one end of the trigger 421 is connected to the telescopic pin 41, and athird elastic driving member 422 is connected between the other end ofthe trigger 421 and the air cylinder barrel 11.

In the embodiment, the driving portion 42 includes the trigger 421 witha mechanical structure and the third elastic driving member 422. Thetrigger 421 is mounted on an outer side of the air cylinder barrel 11through a pivot shaft 423, and the pivot shaft 423 is parallel to anaxis of the air cylinder barrel 11. The trigger 421 may rotate aroundthe pivot shaft 423. A mounting portion is arranged on the air cylinderbarrel 11, the third elastic driving member 422 is connected between themounting portion and one end of the trigger 421, and the other end ofthe trigger 421 is connected to the telescopic pin 41. An expansionspring, an elastic sheet, or the like may be selected as the thirdelastic driving member 422. In a usual state, the third elastic drivingmember 422 acts on the trigger 421, so that the trigger 421 drives thetelescopic pin 41 to be in the extended state. This means that an endportion of the telescopic pin 41 extends into the air cylinder barrel11.

When the user needs to open the pneumatic drain valve, the user maypress the trigger 421 to compress the third elastic driving member 422,so that the trigger 421 drives the telescopic pin 41 to move outwardlyto retract and withdraw from the first piston 12. Thus, the first piston12 may be released.

According to needs, a through hole may be formed in the water tank ofthe toilet, and the trigger 421 extends out of an outer side of thewater tank of the toilet through the through hole or is flush or leveledwith a surface of the water tank of the toilet, as long as the user canpress the trigger 421.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 , FIG. 5 , FIG. 6 , and FIG. 8 , alimiting convex portion 121 is arranged on one side of the first piston12 oriented to the telescopic pin 41.

A convex portion inclined plane 1211 configured to guide the telescopicpin 41 to retract is arranged on the limiting convex portion 121, andthe convex portion inclined plane 1211 gradually and obliquely extendsupwardly and inwardly in a direction from the telescopic pin 41 to thelimiting convex portion 121.

In the embodiment, the limiting convex portion 121 is arranged on thefirst piston 12. The limiting convex portion 121 is convex along aradial direction of the first piston 12.

When the first piston 12 is jacked up or pushed up to a position belowthe telescopic pin 41, the end portion of the telescopic pin 41 iscontacted with the convex portion inclined plane 1211, and the firstpiston 12 continues to move up, so that the convex portion inclinedplane 1211 will act on the telescopic pin 41 to retract the telescopicpin 41 automatically. After the limiting convex portion 121 passes overthe telescopic pin 41, the telescopic pin 41 extends out. When the firstpiston 12 descends, the telescopic pin 41 blocks a bottom surface of thelimiting convex portion 121 to prevent the first piston 12 fromdescending.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 , a bottom surface of the limitingconvex portion 121 is a plane 1212, which is advantageous to match thetelescopic pin 41 with the plane 1212 to realize a locking function.

In an embodiment, the limiting convex portion 121 is a limiting ringarranged on the first piston 12, and the user may arrange the telescopicpin 41 at any position along a circumferential direction of the aircylinder barrel 11 as needed.

In an embodiment, an area of the liquid inlet 25 is larger than that ofthe liquid outlet 26. This arrangement may keep the liquid inlet 25 andthe liquid outlet 26 open normally, without a need to control the liquidoutlet 26 separately. This is advantageous to simplify a structure ofproducts. The area of the liquid inlet 25 and the area of the liquidoutlet 26 may be set as needed. The above technical solutions may becombined as required to achieve the best technical effect.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a toilet, whichcomprises the pneumatic valve control device according to any one of theembodiments above.

In an embodiment, the toilet includes a base (e.g., a pedestal, bowl,etc.) and a tank. The base is configured to be attached to anotherobject such as a drainpipe, floor, or another suitable object. The baseincludes a bowl, a sump (e.g., a receptacle) disposed below the bowl,and a trapway fluidly connecting the bowl to a drainpipe or sewage line.The tank may be supported by the base, such as an upper surface of arim. The tank may be integrally formed with the base as a single unitarybody. In other embodiments, the tank may be formed separately from thebase and coupled (e.g., attached, secured, fastened, connected, etc.) tothe base. The toilet may further include a tank lid covering an openingand inner cavity in the tank. The toilet may include a seat assemblyincluding a seat and a seat cover rotatably coupled to the base. Thetoilet may further include a hinge assembly.

In another embodiment, the toilet may be a tankless toilet. The toiletincludes a base and a seat assembly coupled to the base. The baseincludes a bowl, a sump disposed below the bowl, and a trapway fluidlyconnecting the bowl to a drainpipe or sewage line. The toilet includes awaterline that supplies the toilet with water. The toilet may furtherinclude a seat assembly including a seat and a seat cover rotatablycoupled to the base. The toilets described above are provided herein asnon-limiting examples of toilets that may be configured to utilizeaspects of the present disclosure.

In some examples, the bidet may be included in a seat or pedestal of atoilet. In other examples, the bidet may be manufactured separately fromand attached or coupled to a seat or pedestal of a toilet. The bidetincludes a housing. The housing is configured to receive a flow of waterthrough a housing inlet and dispense the flow of water from a housingoutlet. The housing inlet and housing outlet may be located on oppositeends of the housing from one another, such that water may flow throughthe housing from the housing inlet to the housing outlet. In someexamples, the housing further includes a chamber. As the housingreceives the flow of water, the chamber may fill with water and providea flow of water between the housing inlet and the housing outlet. Thechamber may be configured to contain the flow of water and direct theflow of water from the housing inlet to the housing outlet. After thechamber has filled with water, the flow of water may travel along asubstantially linear path between the housing inlet and the housingoutlet. In some examples, one or more walls within the housing may beincluded to help direct a flow of water between the housing inlet andthe housing outlet. The bidet may further include a housing inletconduit configured to direct a flow of water to the housing inlet. Thehousing inlet conduit may be coupled to a water supply such as tank orwaterline. The housing may further include a gear assembly or a portionof the gear assembly.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method for controlling a pneumatic valve torelease water in a water tank of a toilet by using a pneumatic valvecontrol device according to an example of the present disclosure. Thepneumatic valve control device used by the method may be the pneumaticvalve control device according to any of the foregoing embodiments andmay be configured to perform an operation, function, or the like asdescribed in the present disclosure. The pneumatic valve controlled bythe method may be the pneumatic valve according to any of the foregoingembodiments and may be configured to perform an operation, function, orthe like as described in the present disclosure.

At act S101, the water supplied into the hydraulic cylinder 2 may pushup the second piston 22 to generate an upward movement of the piston rod23 connected to the second piston 22. As noted above, when the waterenters the liquid inlet 25 to achieve liquid filling, the hydrauliccylinder 2 acts in response to the liquid filling, the second piston 22is pushed up by the water below the second piston 22, and the tappetvalve 24 rises with the piston rod 23 and leaves from the partitionchannel 31.

At act S102, the upward movement of the piston rod 23 may open an aircommunication between the air cylinder 1 and the air vent 27 to supplyair into the air cylinder 1 and may push up the first piston 12 disposedin the air cylinder 1. As noted above, the air vent 27 is in aircommunication with the air cavity 10 of the air cylinder 1 through thepartition channel 31 to supplement air to the air cavity 10 when thetappet valve 24 rises with the piston rod 23 and leaves from thepartition channel 31.

At act S103, the liquid inlet 25 may stop supplying the water into thehydraulic cylinder 2 to allow the second piston 22 to return to aninitial position. As noted above, when the water stops entering theliquid inlet 25, and the water is discharged through the liquid outlet26, the second piston 22 gradually descends back to an initial position.Accordingly, the tappet valve 24 resets to close the partition channel31. At this time, the first piston 12 is kept at a higher position, andthe air cavity 10 has a largest volume and is in a closed state.

At act S104, the locking and releasing mechanism 4 may release the firstpiston 12 to generate a downward movement of the first piston 12 so asto compress the air out of the air cylinder 1. As noted above, to openthe pneumatic drain valve, the locking and releasing mechanism 4 may beoperated, so that the locking and releasing mechanism 4 releases thefirst piston 12, and the first piston 12 descends and compresses the airin the air cavity 10 out through the air outlet 13.

At act S105, the compressed air may open the pneumatic valve so as todischarge the water from the water tank. As noted above, the compressedair enters the pneumatic drain valve through the pipeline 6, thepneumatic drain valve is opened, and the water tank discharges water.

The above description is merely the principle and the embodiments of thepresent disclosure. It should be pointed out that, for those of ordinaryskill in the art, several other modifications may be made based on theprinciple of the present disclosure and should also be regarded asfalling within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

I claim:
 1. A pneumatic valve control device, comprising: an aircylinder including a first piston, an air outlet, and a locking andreleasing mechanism configured to lock and release the first piston whenthe first piston is pushed up; a hydraulic cylinder including a secondpiston, an air vent disposed on a first side of the second piston, and aliquid inlet and a liquid outlet disposed on a second side of the secondpiston; a partition disposed between the hydraulic cylinder and the aircylinder; a partition channel disposed on the partition; a piston rodconnected to the second piston and configured to pass through thepartition channel; and a tappet valve connected to the piston rod, thetappet valve configured to open and close the partition channel andconfigured to leave the partition channel in response to an upwardmovement of the piston rod so as to push up the first piston, whereinwhen the locking and releasing mechanism is released, the first pistonfalls down, the partition channel is in a closed state, and the airoutlet is in an outward air exhaust state.
 2. The pneumatic valvecontrol device according to claim 1, wherein a sealing gasket isdisposed in the partition channel, and wherein when the tappet valvecloses the partition channel, the tappet valve is contacted with thesealing gasket.
 3. The pneumatic valve control device according to claim2, wherein a channel step surface is disposed in the partition channeland the sealing gasket is disposed on the channel step surface, whereinthe tappet valve comprises a tappet valve step surface, wherein when thetappet valve closes the partition channel, the tappet valve step surfacepresses the sealing gasket.
 4. The pneumatic valve control deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a first elastic driving memberconfigured to drive the first piston to move towards the partition, thefirst elastic driving member disposed in an air cylinder barrel of theair cylinder, wherein when the locking and releasing mechanism releasesthe first piston, the first elastic driving member accelerate a downwardmovement of the first piston so as to increase a pressure of air in theair cylinder.
 5. The pneumatic valve control device according to claim4, further comprising: a first sealing ring configured to seal the aircylinder barrel of the air cylinder, the first sealing ring disposed onthe first piston.
 6. The pneumatic valve control device according toclaim 1, further comprising: a second elastic driving member configuredto drive the second piston to move downwards, the second elastic drivingmember disposed in a hydraulic cylinder barrel of the hydrauliccylinder, wherein when the liquid inlet stops supplying water, thesecond elastic driving member accelerate a downward movement of thetappet valve to close the partition channel so as to reduce an amount ofthe air discharged through the partition channel.
 7. The pneumatic valvecontrol device according to claim 6, further comprising: a secondsealing ring configured to seal the hydraulic cylinder barrel, thesecond sealing ring disposed on the second piston.
 8. The pneumaticvalve control device according to claim 1, wherein the locking andreleasing mechanism comprises: a telescopic pin disposed on an aircylinder barrel of the air cylinder; and a driving portion configured todrive the telescopic pin to extend and retract, the driving portionconnected to the telescopic pin, wherein the telescopic pin extendsalong a radial direction of the air cylinder barrel, wherein when thetelescopic pin passes through and extends into the air cylinder barrel,the first piston is locked, wherein when the telescopic pin is retractedaway from the first piston, the first piston is released to fall down.9. The pneumatic valve control device according to claim 8, wherein whenthe locking and releasing mechanism is in an initial state, thetelescopic pin is in an extended state.
 10. The pneumatic valve controldevice according to claim 9, wherein the driving portion comprises atrigger pivotally disposed on the air cylinder barrel, wherein a firstend of the trigger is connected to the telescopic pin, and wherein athird elastic driving member is connected between a second end of thetrigger and the air cylinder barrel.
 11. The pneumatic valve controldevice according to claim 9, wherein a limiting convex portion isdisposed on one side, oriented to the telescopic pin, of the firstpiston, wherein a convex portion inclined plane configured to guide thetelescopic pin to retract is disposed on the limiting convex portion,and wherein the convex portion inclined plane gradually and obliquelyextends upwardly and inwardly in a direction from the telescopic pin tothe limiting convex portion.
 12. The pneumatic valve control deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein a bottom surface of the limiting convexportion is a plane.
 13. The pneumatic valve control device according toclaim 11, wherein the limiting convex portion is a limiting ringdisposed on the first piston.
 14. The pneumatic valve control deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein an area of the liquid inlet is largerthan an area of the liquid outlet.
 15. A method for controlling apneumatic valve to release water in a water tank of a toilet by using apneumatic valve control device, the method comprising: pushing up, bywater supplied into a hydraulic cylinder, a second piston of thehydraulic cylinder to generate an upward movement of a piston rodconnected to the second piston; in response to the upward movement ofthe piston rod, opening an air communication between an air cylinder andan air vent to supply air into the air cylinder and pushing up a firstpiston disposed in the air cylinder; stopping a liquid inlet to supplythe water into the hydraulic cylinder to allow the second piston toreturn to an initial position; releasing, by a locking and releasingmechanism, the first piston to generate a downward movement of the firstpiston so as to compress the air out of the air cylinder; and opening,by the compressed air, the pneumatic valve so as to discharge the waterfrom the water tank.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein whenthe second piston is in the initial position, a tappet valve is disposedin a partition channel to close the air communication between the aircylinder and the air vent, wherein the opening the air communicationbetween the air cylinder and the air vent to supply the air into the aircylinder comprises: in response to the upward movement of the pistonrod, moving up the tappet valve so as to leave the partition channel.17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: retracting thelocking and releasing mechanism in an extended state to allow the firstpiston to pass over the locking and releasing mechanism when the firstpiston is pushed up; extending the retracted locking and releasingmechanism in a retracted state after the first piston passes over thelocking and releasing mechanism so as to lock the first piston when thefirst piston is pushed up to a preset position.
 18. The method accordingto claim 15, wherein the releasing, by a locking and releasingmechanism, the first piston comprises: accelerating, by a first elasticdriving member, the downward movement of the first piston so as toincrease a pressure of the air in the air cylinder.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 16, further comprising: when the liquid inlet stopssupplying water, accelerating, by a second elastic driving member, adownward movement of the tappet valve to close the partition channel soas to reduce an amount of the air discharged through the partitionchannel.
 20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the releasing, bya locking and releasing mechanism, the first piston comprises:compressing a third elastic driving member to retract the locking andreleasing mechanism.